Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and there are 21 amino acids that play essential roles in the human body. These amino acids can be categorized into three groups: essential, non-essential, and conditionally essential.
Essential Amino Acids:
These cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from the diet.
Histidine
Isoleucine
Leucine
Lysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Threonine
Tryptophan
Valine
Non-Essential Amino Acids:
These can be synthesized by the body and do not need to be obtained from the diet.
Alanine
Asparagine
Aspartic Acid
Glutamic Acid
Serine
Conditionally Essential Amino Acids:
These are usually synthesized by the body but may need to be obtained from the diet in certain conditions such as illness or stress.
Arginine
Cysteine
Glutamine
Glycine
Proline
Tyrosine
Unique Amino Acid:
Selenocysteine: Known as the 21st amino acid, it is considered unique due to its incorporation into a limited number of proteins and its requirement for specific machinery within the body.
Each of these amino acids has specific functions and is vital for overall health, contributing to processes such as tissue repair, nutrient absorption, and enzyme production.